The Indian Air Force’s Su-30MKI fleet will presumably be armed with a beyond-visual-range air to air missile by 2022. According to local media reports, the Indian Air Force is considering arming its fleet of Sukhoi Su-30MKI multirole air superiority fighter jets with the Israeli-made Rafael Advanced Defense Systems I-Derby extended range (ER) beyond-visual-range missile or BVRAAM by 2022.
The Israeli I-Derby ER is predicted to exchange the aging Russian-made Vympel R-77 also mentioned as “AA-12 Adder” air-to-air missiles (AAMs) currently being carried by the Su-30MKI. Russian R 77 was found wanting during the last year when the Indian Air Force fighters faced Pakistan Air Force PAF. In this article, Defense Updates analyzes why India plans to exchange Russian R 77 missile by Israeli missile I-Derby ER in its Sukhoi Su-30 MKI?
Sukhoi Su 30 MKI
Su-30MKIs, a customized variant of Sukhoi Su-30 is deployed by the Indian Air Force. It is a multirole fighter capable of executing both air-to-air and air- to-land attack missions. Su-30MKI has abilities almost like the Sukhoi Su-35 with which it shares many features and components.
It is interesting to note that the MKI version includes Israeli and French avionics. For example, the aircraft is fitted with a French-made heads-up display system and Israeli’s made EW system and a complicated targeting pod. read more
